We are not designed to live in ruts, but we do. In some ways, this is a good thing. We don’t have to think too hard about how to get through our day.
But when our thinking, and therefore our lives, takes place within deep ruts, and we don’t realize it—it’s a dangerous thing.
Living in ruts has brought the world to where it is today. And we can do something about it.
Something very, very simple.
We ask ourselves, is there a better way to do this? A more beautiful way. A kinder, more generous, more accepting, more evolved, and expansive way?
If this was a question we asked ourselves daily, listened to the answer, and followed what we learned, imagine how different the world would be.
We could practice imagining a better way by observing how we do simple everyday things. Like brushing our teeth. Someone did, didn’t they?
Or imagine being able to communicate with someone living thousands of miles away by pushing a button. Someone did and changed all our lives.
If we were in the habit of asking if there was a better way and then doing something about it—first getting greed and apathy out of the way—then vaccines wouldn’t expire in warehouses, plastic wouldn’t be forming islands in the ocean, people wouldn’t be homeless, wars wouldn’t be fought…
Cleaning up, clearing up, and stopping harmful practices is a step-by-step process. We can each take daily steps in our own way.
If we asked ourselves if there is a better way, maybe we’d find a better way to shop, get to work, chop the vegetables, make dinner, study, work in the garden, talk to our neighbor—the list is endless.
Each time we imagine—and then implement—a better way, we not only shift our lives for the better, but we also open possibilities for better lives for everyone.
It feels easy to give up and stay in a rut because we have believed that what we do doesn’t make a difference. But it does.
Change does not trickle down. It moves up.
If we each choose better ways to interact with each other, talk about, and help each other, we become the roots of change. We become the tipping point.
Is there a better way? Always. Can we choose it? Of course we can.
Take small steps. Do small things. Pull one weed. Smile at one person. Stop complaining. Stop allowing ourselves to be rage-farmed by those that don’t want us to imagine a better way.
Choose instead to focus—and act on—the good, the beautiful, and the true.
We are all learning how to do this, but if we practice together, it will be much more effective and so much easier. We build and clear a path for others to follow each time we choose a better way.
Let’s do at least one thing better today than we did yesterday.
We are not meant to live in a rut, wishing things were different or not even noticing that things are bad.
Instead, we can bloom in our own lives and help others to bloom in theirs.
Imagine what a difference that will make.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. —Philippians 4:8
BECA LEWIS coaches, teaches, writes blogs and books, plays with art, and is addicted to reading. She lives in Ohio with her husband and has kids and grandkids scattered across the country.
